An autopsy report revealed that a pet Gila monster’s venomous bite contributed to a Colorado man’s death in February in what an expert described as “an incredibly rare” fatality caused by one of the desert lizards.
The man, Christopher Ward, 34, died on Feb. 16 “due to complications of Gila monster envenomization,” said the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office autopsy report, which also cited heart and liver problems as contributing factors.
Mr. Ward endured a four-minute-long bite by the lizard to his right hand on the night of Feb. 12, the report said.
Paramedics found Mr. Ward in a bed, minimally responsive and “in apparent severe distress,” the report said.
He was taken to a hospital, where he was put on life support and “continued to decline throughout his hospitalization.”
Persons:
Christopher Ward, ”, Ward, “
Locations:
Colorado, Jefferson